UK political parties exam update - part one

Labour and Conservative 2010 election promises

There’s said to be little difference between the ideas and policies of the two main parties, with many voters struggling tell them apart. Quite a few vox pops have seen people in the street say that they won’t vote due to their closeness.

Although official manifestoes have yet to roll off the press, with an eye on the participation in politics AS units, here’s my first stab at analysis.

The issue that will probably decide the election: the economy
It’s probably fair to say there is a large amount of disagreement on economic management or there isn’t depending on how far the trees are from the wood. Labour is trying to portray this election as a choice between cuts and growth, arguing that they see the need to maintain higher levels of public spending in the short term than the Tories plan to otherwise the economic recovery would be put in jeopardy.

But there are not radical differences in the economic plans of the two main parties. Labour plan to halve public debt in four years, while the Tories say they will get rid of most of it in five. There are have been major arguments over employer NI contributions in recent days, but the various tax proposals from the parties are smoke and mirrors. Brown has pledged to stick to current income tax rates, but won’t commit on thresholds or VAT. Cameron is staking his promise to keep taxes lower than they would be under Labour on “efficiency savings”.

There isn’t a lot to choose between the parties on tax overall, although the perspective of an individual may be differ depending on income and circumstances.

There’s a good feature on the BBC website on this, where it is pointed out that the argument over NI amounts to 0.4% of GDP.

If debt is to go down, so does spending: public services
Both parties accept there will be major cuts, but we have yet to see enough policy specifics to talk about the extent of differences here.

Probably of more interest to students than the public: constitutional reform
Labour and the Tories agree on quite a few plans to shake up the governing architecture. On Brown’s plans for fixed term parliaments, Cameron has said that he’s heading that way but has made no firm commitment. On introducing American style recalls of our elected representatives there is agreement, albeit with some minor differences. Both parties agree the trigger should be evidence of misconduct, but the Tories favour s petition of 10% before the recall vote. On making the Lords elected there is broad agreement, although the Tories have expressed less urgency.

Where there is clear disagreement is on voting reform. Labour have eventually come around to the idea of favouring AV, and also promise to lower the voting age to 16. The Tories so far have expressed opposition to both. There is less disagreement, but it’s still visible on regulating the work MPs can do. Both parties plan to clamp down on lobbying, but the Conservatives don’t want to regulate non-political work (i.e. second jobs) performed by MPs.

On this issue I’d say there is fairly broad agreement here.

Looking abroad
Both parties must accept the reality that in demographic changes in developed countries, with rapidly ageing populations will place pressure on government spending. Something will have to give, and that is likely to be defence spending. In the short term, however, neither party wants to start an argument about whether troops should remain in Afghanistan.

It is on the issue of Britain’s relations with the EU that biggest divides can be found, even if it isn’t going to be a major issue for the majority of the British public. Cameron wants to opt out from a raft of EU obligations, such as the rights charter and work directive, and wants to pass a bill that would guarantee a referendum on any future power transfers (as in Ireland).

This is definitely an election that is being fought in the centre ground, with little to choose on policy, therefore it would seem that competence will determine the outcome.